V-belt tensioning means

ABSTRACT

Improvement in a V-belt tensioning means for tensioning a V-belt operative in respect to a pair of sheaves is disclosed said Vbelt tensioning means comprising jack means constructed to be disposed and to be axially operative between said sheaves, said jack means having identical outer ends constructed to engage said sheaves, respectively, said jack means having screw thread means operative to change the length of said tensioning means so as to apply a tensioning force to spread said sheaves apart to tension said V-belt, said improvement comprising said identical outer ends constructed to engage the walls of the V-grooves of said sheaves by each said end comprising a pair of spaced apart cylindrical legs disposed in the same plane and at an obtuse included angle with respect to each other so that when said tensioning means is disposed and made to be axially operative between said sheaves the walls of the V-grooves thereof are engaged by said cylindrical legs to center and lock said tensioning means therebetween.

United States Patent [191 Custer V-BELT TENSIONING MEANS Inventor: Harry Willis Custer, 30635 Helmandale Drive, Franklin, Mich. 48025 Filed: July 30, 1971 Appl. No.: 167,632

US. Cl ..254/67, 254/ 100 Int. Cl. ..B66f 3/08 Field of Search ..254/67, 51, 98, DIG. 10, 254/54, 100, 52; 74/242, l2, 14 R; 287/58 CT, 59, 61; 248/354 S, 352

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1967 Mueller et al. .154/100 8/1929 .lauch .254/100 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain ..254/98 Primary ExaminerOthell M. Simpson Assistant Examiner-Robert C. Watson AttorneyWilliam L. Fisher 1451 Apr. 17, 1973 [5 7] ABSTRACT Improvement in a V-belt tensioning means for tensioning a V-belt operative in respect to a pair of sheaves is disclosed said V-belt tensioning means comprising jack means constructed to be disposed and to be axially operative between said sheaves, said jack means having identical outer ends constructed to engage said sheaves, respectively, said jack means having screw thread means operative to change the length of said tensioning means so as to apply a tensioning force to spread said sheaves apart to tension said V-belt, said llllllllll improvement comprising said identical outer ends constructed to engage the walls of the V-grooves of said sheaves by each said end comprising a pair of spaced apart cylindrical legs disposed in the same plane and at an obtuse included angle with respect to each other so that when said tensioning means is disposed andmade to be axially operative between said sheaves the walls of the V-grooves thereof are engaged by said cylindrical legs to center and lock said tensioning means therebetween.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures lllllllllllllllllll'i- PATENTED 1 3,727, 884

HARRY WILLIS CUSTER lNVENTOR BY 1mm sfgmm HIS ATTORNEY V-BELT TENSIONING MEANS My invention relates to a tool for use power drives.

v The principal object of my invention is to provide self-centering V-belt tensioning means for tensioning a V-belt in respect to a pair of sheaves.

The foregoing object of my invention and the advantages thereof will become apparent during the course of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGS. 1 and 2 are, respectively, front elevational and top plan views of a V-belt tensioning means embodying my invention;

and FIG. 3 is a front elevational view shown broken of a modifiedform of said V-belt tensioning means.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, 4 generally designates the embodiment shown therein of a V-belt tensioning means shown in operative relation to a V-belt 5 and a pair of sheaves 6 and v7. Said sheaves 6 and 7 are carried on shafts 23 and 24, respectively, which are power input or power output shafts of machines 25 and 26, respectively. Depending upon the particular application, one of the machines 25 and 26 is a driver machine, such as a motor, and its shaft 23 or 24 is a power output shaft while the other machine is a driven machine, such as a with V-belt pump, and its shaft 23 or 24 is a power input shaft. Said V-belt tensioning means comprises jack means having screw thread means and identical outer ends, each of which end comprises a pair of spaced apart cylindrical legsdisposed in the same plane and at an obtuse included angle with respect to each other so that when said tensioning means is disposed and made to be axially operative between said sheaves the walls of the V- grooves thereof are engaged by said legs to center and lock my tensioning means therebetween. Said jack means .comprises, in the instance, designated 8, l0 and 12. The part designated 8 is a male part with male threads thereon which carries on the outer end thereof a pair of spaced apart cylindrical legs 9. The part designated is a female part with no threads thereon which carries on the outer end thereof a pair of spaced apart cylindrical legs 11. The legs of each of the pairs 9 and 11 are disposed in the same plane and at an obtuse included angle with respect to each other and are each circular in transverse crosssection. At each such cross-section a two point contact with the walls of the V-belt groove is obtained, Because such cross-section is circular said two point contact results even in off-axial positions of my tensioning means. The inner end of the female part 10 telescopes over the inner end of the male part 8. The part designated 12 is a wing nut with female threads thereon which wing nut 12 threadably engages the threaded inner end of said male part 8. The inner end of the wing nut 12 bears against the inner end of the female part 10 and by virtue of its threaded engagement with the male part 8 controls the relative axial position of the parts 8 and 10 and hence the length of said jack means. The following is one example of tensioning a V-belt the machines 25 or 26 is loosened from its base and said jack means is disposed between the pair of sheaves 6 and 7 with the pairs of legs 9 and 11 engaging the side walls of the V-belt grooves of said sheaves 6 and 7, respectively. A tensioning force is applied on the V-belt three 7 parts 5 by rotating said wing nut 12 to lengthen said jack means to spread apart said sheaves 6 and 7. With said sheaves 6 and 7 held spread apart by said jack means in place therebetween said one machine is re-fa stened to its base and the jack means is then removed fro between the sheaves 6 and 7.

Referring to FIG. 3,-14 generally designates the embodiment shown therein of a V-belt tensioning means which comprises the same jack means of the prior embodiment 4, i.e., the parts 8, l0 and 12, and in addition thereto fourth, fifth and sixth parts 16, 17 and 1s. The

fourth and fifth parts designated 16 and 17 are second and third female parts with no threads thereon. Means in the form of a coupling 20 with no threads thereon is associated with the female part 16 so that the same can serve as an extension for the first-mentioned female ,part 10. Another coupling 20 is associated with the female part 17 so that the same can serve as an extension for either of the female parts 10 or 16. Each said coupling 20 is hollow throughout its length and is provided with oppositely facing shoulders against which bear the inner and outer ends, respectively, of the female parts which are coupled thereby. The sixth part designated 18 is a second male part with male threads thereon. Means in the form of a coupling 22 with female threads therein is associated with the male part 18 so that the same can serve. as an extension for the first-mentioned male part 8. Said coupling 22 is hollow and-threaded throughout its length and threadably en-- gages both said male'parts8 and 18. Further extensions of the male endof the jack means than the one 18 shown may be provided. Using two or three parts for said jack means I can obtain a minimum effective length thereof and any greater needed length with additional parts. For example, with one to three additional parts I can increase the effective length of said jack means by more than five timessuch minimum effective length.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by my invention a V-belt tensioning means in which the object hereinabove-set forth, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, has been successfully achieved. While a preferred embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it is to .be understood that variations and changes may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Improvement in V-belt tensioning means for tensioning a V-belt operative in respect to a pair of sheaves; said V-belt tensioning means comprising jack means constructed to be disposed and to be axially operative between said sheaves, said jack means having identical outer ends constructed to engage said sheaves, respectively, said jack means having screw thread means operative to change the length of said tensioning means so as to apply a tensioning force to spread said sheaves apart to tension said V-belt, said improvement consisting of said identical outer ends constructed to engage the walls of the V-grooves of said sheaves by each said end comprising a pair of spaced apart cylindrical legs disposed in the same plane and at an obtuse included angle with respect to each other so that when said tensioning means is disposed and madeto be axially operative between said sheaves the walls of the V-grooves thereof are engaged by said cylindrical legs to center and lock said tensioning means therebetween. 

1. Improvement in V-belt tensioning means for tensioning a Vbelt operative in respect to a pair of sheaves; said V-belt tensioning means comprising jack means constructed to be disposed and to be axially operative between said sheaves, said jack means having identical outer ends constructed to engage said sheaves, respectively, said jack means having screw thread means operative to change the length of said tensioning means so as to apply a tensioning force to spread said sheaves apart to tension said Vbelt, said improvement consisting of said identical outer ends constructed to engage the walls of the V-grooves of said sheaves by each said end comprising a pair of spaced apart cylindrical legs disposed in the same plane and at an obtuse included angle with respect to each other so that when said tensioning means is disposed and made to be axially operative between said sheaves the walls of the V-grooves thereof are engaged by said cylindrical legs to center and lock said tensioning means therebetween. 